BIM for Fabrication

We Blend the Benefits of BIM with Virtual Design and Construction (VDC)

What is BIM-Based Digital Fabrication?

Think about how much time, money, and energy is wasted on building projects due to erroneous fabrications. Imagine if we could design from start to finish without physically crafting anything? That’s where BIM-based digital fabrication comes in. BIM allows the visualization of fabrication designs digitally.

 

The introduction of BIM-based digital fabrication techniques has opened up an entirely new world for the construction process by blending aspects of digital technologies, like 3D printing with BIM (Building Information Modeling) coupled with virtual design and construction (VDC). 

 

Designers, contractors, and builders can improve efficiency in their workflows by digitally visualizing product designs before they’re created instead of relying on guesswork or physical models that may not be accurate enough for planning purposes. This also allows them to make changes more easily when mistakes occur without negatively impacting the overall project.

 

Architects, as well as engineers, have access to physical models before committing themselves fully into fabrication while testing out different materials or fixtures at their leisure. They can create concept drawings that can later be turned into reality once all necessary requisites are met. In general, BIM-based digital fabrication improves the efficiency of design, construction, and manufacturing of prefabricated products.

Benefits of BIM-Based Digital Fabrication

The benefits of using BIM-based digital fabrication techniques are vast. They promote the integration of design, manufacturing, and construction processes, which enables higher transparency, enhanced collaboration, and improved interoperability among stakeholders in the digital fabrication process.

 

It reduces the workload of the procurement teams for construction and simultaneously improves productivity. Since everything is prefabricated digitally from the outset, there is optimal utilization of resources which increases work efficiency.

 

◊ Inclusive Integration

Greater Transparency

◊ Simplified Procurement Process

◊ Improves Productivity of Workflow

BIM Applications in Free-Form Building Project

With digital fabrication, you can produce free-form shapes that would previously have been impossible with traditional methods. The process begins by generating a complex shape in 3D modeling software and then cutting it out of fabric or other materials using laser cutters to create very particular pieces which are required for each individual part being built for your project site. Our implementation of BIM-based digital fabrication for free-form building projects includes:

 

Prefabrication of the Project

The process begins with the decision to implement a digital prefabrication process for project management. 

 

Digital Fabrication Process Proposal

The plan outlines the personnel required, the construction period of different tasks essential for digital fabrication, design, fabrication, on-site delivery, and installation guidelines and schedule.

 

Design of Free-form Part Shapes & Panels

During the design phase, a comprehensive design model is created which involves fabrication design, member fabrication, and construction.

 

Design of Structural System

We use insights from fabrication drawings to help us in creating a detailed structural system for your free-form building project.

 

BIM-based Fabrication Drawing Production

This process involves creating the fabrication model in real-time according to the project requirements. The end result is a dynamic and comprehensive BIM model that outlines the design and paves the way for material procurement and pre-fabrication material production.

 

Manufacturing of Pre-fab Material

Once the drawing production is complete, the subcontractors will receive detailed fabrication drawings so the manufacturing process can begin for the prefabricated materials.

 

Warehousing & Inspection of Material

The manufacturing process is followed by the warehousing and inspection process for ensuring quality criteria are met.

 

Installation & Quality Control

Before construction begins, a construction simulation is conducted for enhancing the understanding of the entire on-site process. All the prefabricated modules are gathered on the site and actual on-site construction takes place. Prior to this, a quality inspection is performed of the material to ensure minimal chances of flaws during the installation or after the project completion.

Other Services

2D/3D Building As-Builts

As-builts are sets of detailed drawings that reflect modifications made during the construction process of buildings that deviates from the original design. They document what the existing conditions are and can be produced as a 2D drawing set or a 3D model showing size, shape, and location. 

 

The final sets of as-built drawings can be useful for design, construction, renovation, asset management, and building records as they hold important information, such as:

  • Design changes
  • Field changes
  • Any modification to the final project

 

If you have 3D models of your site, then you can create site safety procedures as well as maintenance zoning requirements.

MEP As-Builts
MEP stands for Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing. MEP as-built drawings are an essential process in any project, especially to maintain a project’s lifecycle after construction has ended. In order to do that, high-quality and accurate MEP drawings are used to help communicate information regarding the construction, installation, and function of MEP components by utilizing familiar symbols, units of measurement, and notation systems.

 

Clash Detection Services
In Building Information Modeling (BIM), clash detection is the technique of identifying if, where, or how two parts of the building (e.g., plumbing and walls) interfere with one another. It is used in pre-construction and design phases in the field to prevent construction issues from happening in the first place and is executed through a highly sophisticated and computerized analysis of multiple 3D models.

Drone Site Mapping
Drone mapping is an aerial survey conducted by a drone and specialist cameras, which can include RGB (for photogrammetry), multispectral, thermal or LiDAR sensors. This combination of drones and high-resolution cameras enables the collection of highly-accurate data that can help to build high-resolution, centimeter-accurate 3D and 2D maps and models extremely quickly.

Building Energy Analysis
Running a building energy analysis allows you to measure a building’s energy performance by calculating how well the integration of that building’s form, systems, and envelope performs under the surrounding environmental conditions. Performing this analysis on a building design through all phases helps to ensure that you are constantly working towards the most energy-efficient building possible. Energy simulation can help analyze the movement of energy in, out, and through the rooms and volumes in a building model. This information can help designers make better informed, cost-effective decisions that improve the performance and reduce the environmental impact of buildings.